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Our Mission

The GIPS Foundation partners with our community to build support that ensures every Grand Island Public Schools student has access to resources and opportunities, empowering them to thrive and dream big.

  • Classroom grants enhance student learning experiences and provide teachers the opportunity to try out new ideas, making learning both fun and effective for students.
    Take a look.

  • Want to help Grand Island students chase their dreams? Come to the Harvest event – a night of fun, awesome auctions, and inspiring stories about how your support helps students thrive.
    Find out more.

  • The Bill and Bea Southard Endowed Fund is stepping up to ensure that no student misses out on learning opportunities just because of their finances.
    Read more.

  • To the Class of 2025, we awarded 182 scholarships, totaling over $693,000! That's a powerful investment in our student's future.
    To the Class of 2025, we awarded 182 scholarships, totaling over $693,000! That's a powerful investment in our student's future.

    $693,823

  • For the 2024-2025 school year, 14 grants totaling $12,091 was awarded through the Classroom Grant process. These 14 Classroom Grants benefited GIPS 6,346 students.
    For the 2024-2025 school year, 14 grants totaling $12,091 was awarded through the Classroom Grant process. These 14 Classroom Grants benefited GIPS 6,346 students.

    $12,091

May 16, 2025

With gratitude, the GIPS Foundation acknowledged the outstanding generosity of its staff, who presented 10,000 reasons, one for each student, to invest in student opportunities. A significant highlight of this year's campaign was the heartfelt gesture from Joel and Terry Wiegand, who provided a $5,000 matching gift for all new or increased donations to the Foundation during this year’s campaign.

May 15, 2025
byGeorge Ayoub

Volume 10 | Number 3

Welcome to Rise, the voice of Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends. We show up every other month in over 9,000 in-boxes bringing you news, views, and memories of GISH. Rise is a publication of the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.

March 16, 2025

Second-grade students across the district are exploring the world in greater detail, thanks to the “Microscope Marvels” Classroom Grant, funded by the GIPS Foundation. This project provided digital microscopes to all 36 second-grade classrooms, transforming how young learners experience science. McKenna Supencheck, second-grade teacher at Dodge, said about this grant, “I think it's awesome to use grants for things like this so we can do hands-on things, because we're teaching and we're talking all the time, but being able to provide an actual experience where they can see things and remember… they will remember this for a long time.”

students

Together, We Can Make a Difference

Every year, your generosity makes a world of difference for our students at Grand Island Public Schools and to the GIPS Foundation. Remember that time a GIPS senior couldn’t afford their cap and gown? Or when a middle schooler needed new sports shoes? Thanks to your support, we were there to help.

  • It is encouraging to be a part of a district that supports my growth as an educator.
    It is encouraging to be a part of a district that supports my growth as an educator.

    Tristen Gardner, GISH

  • We are so thankful for the opportunities that GIPSF and all of the generous donors have offered us.
    We are so thankful for the opportunities that GIPSF and all of the generous donors have offered us.

    Leah, GISH student

  • The GIPS Foundation sure knows how to make teachers feel appreciated!
    The GIPS Foundation sure knows how to make teachers feel appreciated!

    Michelle Thorne, Wasmer Elementary

  • Every dollar, every gift, brings us closer to a brighter future for our students.
  • Supporting the whole student is important to any students' success.
    Supporting the whole student is important to any students' success.

    Valerie Porto, GIPSF Board

  • Impacting someone's life is an INCREDIBLE FEELING
  • You are a part of our SUCCESS
  • I give to the GIPS Foundation so that all students have the opportunity to expand their horizons.
    I give to the GIPS Foundation so that all students have the opportunity to expand their horizons.

    Jacqueline Proctor, Walnut Middle

  • Scholarships
    Scholarships

    Supporting students in achieving their dreams and goals.

  • GIPS Foundation's work ensures that every student has the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
    GIPS Foundation's work ensures that every student has the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed.

    Jacob Morrow, Westridge Middle

  • Donations allow staff to receive Classroom Grants, which provide unique and beneficial opportunities.
    Donations allow staff to receive Classroom Grants, which provide unique and beneficial opportunities.

    Gina Harpham, Barr Middle

  • Compassion Grants
    Compassion Grants

    These funds ensure students have all the resources for success - year after year.

  • It just means a lot that people recognize my passion and the joy I get from helping kids learn.
    It just means a lot that people recognize my passion and the joy I get from helping kids learn.

    Tyler Madison, Walnut Middle

  • Classroom Grants
    Classroom Grants

    Empowering teachers to ignite innovative learning experiences.

  • GIPS Foundation hears about a need in our school district and they help find ways to meet that need for our students.
    GIPS Foundation hears about a need in our school district and they help find ways to meet that need for our students.

    Beth Schott, Knickrehm Elementary

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